Lehigh Parkway wilderness guide
Municipal Park · PA

Lehigh Parkway

Lehigh Parkway is a large urban green space along the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown, Pennsylvania, offering diverse recreational opportunities amid scenic woodlands and waterways.

Municipal Park6294+ Trails

Designation

Municipal Park

Total Wilderness Area

629

Elevation / Terrain

Diverse Wilderness

Field Editorial Guide

About Lehigh Parkway

Lehigh Parkway is a large urban green space along the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown, Pennsylvania, offering diverse recreational opportunities amid scenic woodlands and waterways.

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

Lehigh Parkway is a 629-acre municipal park located along the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Established in the early 1930s, this park serves as a major outdoor recreational hub within the city limits, featuring a mixture of forested areas, open meadows, and water-based ecosystems. The park follows both banks of the Little Lehigh Creek for several miles, providing a natural corridor for local wildlife and a peaceful setting for visitors. The creek itself is well-known for trout fishing, attracting anglers throughout the fishing season. The park offers a broad variety of trail options suitable for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Paved and unpaved paths wind through the woodlands and alongside the creek, showcasing riparian scenery and opportunities for birdwatching. Key landmarks within Lehigh Parkway include Covered Bridge, a popular spot for both photography and picnicking. Visitors also appreciate features like the former Civilian Conservation Corps stonework, which adds historic character to the natural landscape. The park is accessible year-round, with seasonal activities shifting from fishing and biking in spring and summer to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter months. Lehigh Parkway’s proximity to Allentown makes it a favored destination for both residents and regional visitors, combining natural beauty with urban convenience.

Field Guide · Municipal Park
Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Lehigh Parkway

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 60 miles.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Covered Bridge over Little Lehigh Creek, a scenic and historic landmark✦ Little Lehigh Creek, renowned for excellent trout fishing and aquatic wildlife✦ Extensive multi-use trails ideal for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding✦ Civilian Conservation Corps-era stonework and park structures reflecting New Deal heritage
Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Lehigh Parkway

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

Park Recreation

Hiking

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Fishing

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Mountain Biking

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Horseback Riding

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Wildlife Viewing

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Picnicking

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Photography

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Cross-country Skiing

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Snowshoeing

Available in Lehigh Parkway
Park Recreation

Trail Running

Available in Lehigh Parkway
The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Lehigh Parkway.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Free public access with no permits or fees required

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.
Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.
Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.
Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).
Adventure Basecamps

Gateway Towns Near Lehigh Parkway

Stay, dine, and gear up in these mountain towns and scenic basecamps surrounding the park.

Allentown, Pennsylvania
⌖ 0.50 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown, PA offers outdoor lovers hiking, biking, paddling, and winter sports with easy access to parks like Lehigh Parkway and Trexler Nature Preserve. It’s an inviting basecamp for adventures in the scenic Lehigh Valley region year-round.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
South Side, Pennsylvania
⌖ 1.76 miles
Gateway Basecamp

South Side, Pennsylvania

South Side, Pennsylvania is an energetic riverfront neighborhood perfect for biking, paddling, and urban exploration. With scenic trails along the Monongahela River and rich local culture, it offers outdoor fun combined with convenient city access.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
Emmaus, Pennsylvania
⌖ 4.72 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Emmaus, PA is a gateway to outdoor fun near the Lehigh Valley with trails for hiking, biking, paddling, and seasonal skiing. Friendly small-town charm pairs with nearby nature preserves to make it a great stop for outdoor lovers of all kinds.

Spring through Fall for most activities; Winter for cross-country skiing
Explore Town
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
⌖ 5.20 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania offers outdoor travelers access to peaceful river paddling, scenic bike trails, historic hiking, and nearby winter sports. Its riverside setting and preserved parks create an ideal year-round adventure hub in the Lehigh Valley.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
Northampton, Pennsylvania
⌖ 5.88 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Northampton, Pennsylvania

Northampton, Pennsylvania offers outdoor lovers easy access to the Lehigh River for paddling, peaceful hiking trails, and scenic biking paths. With nearby parks and protected nature preserves, it’s a quiet escape for exploring Pennsylvania’s natural beauty from spring through fall.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
Macungie, Pennsylvania
⌖ 7.47 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Macungie, Pennsylvania

Macungie is a peaceful small town in eastern Pennsylvania offering gentle hiking, fishing, and kayaking along Little Lehigh Creek. Its parks and trails provide a relaxing outdoor escape ideal for families and new adventurers.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
Expert-Led Wilderness Expeditions

Guided Experiences in Lehigh Parkway

Explore scenic backcountry routes and epic wilderness adventures with certified local mountain guides, naturalists, and outfitters.

Lower Lehigh River: A Full-Day Float for Fighting Smallmouth and Musky
ADVEXPEDITION
Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania
FishingADV Bookable

Lower Lehigh River: A Full-Day Float for Fighting Smallmouth and Musky

An eight-hour float on the Lower Lehigh River that pairs relentless smallmouth bass and musky action with a straightforward all-ages outing—useful as a practical field guide for anglers and trip planners.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
Two Days at the USA’s Premier Inland Dive Training Site
ADVEXPEDITION
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Water ActivitiesADV Bookable

Two Days at the USA’s Premier Inland Dive Training Site

A back-to-back, two full-day pass for guided diving with Lake Hydra Scuba in Bethlehem — this guide explains schedule, age limits, equipment responsibilities, and booking-code requirements.

Water ActivitiesPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
All-Day Access to Bethlehem’s Premier Inland Dive Facility
ADVEXPEDITION
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Guided TourADV Bookable

All-Day Access to Bethlehem’s Premier Inland Dive Facility

An eight-hour single-day pass at the USA’s top inland diving facility for certified divers and students ages 10 and up; brings the essentials you need to plan a full day of underwater time.

Guided TourPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
On Location at Your School — Cap & Gown Portraits at Bangor Area High School
ADVEXPEDITION
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Photography TourADV Bookable

On Location at Your School — Cap & Gown Portraits at Bangor Area High School

Christmas City Studio offers on-campus graduation portrait sessions at Bangor Area High School, with session lengths ranging from 10 to 45 minutes and options from basic yearbook images to expanded cap-and-gown and formal portraits.

Photography TourPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
A Day Among Ambassadors: General Admission at Lehigh Valley Zoo
ADVEXPEDITION
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
ZooADV Bookable

A Day Among Ambassadors: General Admission at Lehigh Valley Zoo

General daytime admission to the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville’s Trexler Nature Preserve lets visitors of all ages explore 29 acres and more than 325 animal ambassadors; this guide focuses on ticketing, timing, and practical on‑site details.

ZooPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip